Greatest national asset

Spending on the future

Quite surely and certainly Pakistan's youth are our greatest national asset and more importantly the foundation of the country's future growth. With nearly 70 percent of Pakistan's total population below the age of 30, making much required investment as such is not only a social responsibility but also a necessity economically.

Visionary Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's focus was centred on productive employment, empowering Pakistani youth to become job creators instead of being job seekers. Under his leadership and guidance, youth empowerment has been placed at the centre of the Federal Government's development agenda.

According to the relevant facts and figures in this regard available from the official sources concerned, the Federal Budget for just \\the new financial year 2026-2027 duly reflect this commitment through the largest-ever investment in Pakistan's youth development, as much as Rs 40.58 billion directly allocated for the Prime Minister's Youth Programme initiatives. Additionally ,Rs 21 billion have also been provided for implementation of a number of youth-focused programmes by various ministries and divisions of the Federal Government. Such a huge allocation in the new federal budget for youth's development were quite obviously duly reflected by the federal government's determination to provide young Pakistanis with equal opportunities in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports, and leadership. Federal budget allocations hopefully will further strengthen youth participation in national development. 

The federal government was in the process of building an ecosystem where young Pakistanis could create businesses, generate employment and contribute to economic growth. This appreciable ecosystem was being built through productive employment 

initiatives , entrepreneurship support, skills development, and easy and comfortable access to financial resources.

The youth-focused prioritized areas in the federal budget directly impacting the future of Pakistan's young population, included an allocation of Rs 22.4 billion for the PM's Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme for promoting entrepreneurship and economic independence; Rs 9.9 billion for the Youth Skills Development Programme to provide market-driven technical and digital skills; Rs 3 billion for the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund for supporting talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds; another Rs 3.00 billion for IT Startups and Venture Capital support for accelerating Pakistan's digital economy; Rs 700.00 million for Youth Development Centres; Rs 500.00 million for the Talent Hunt Youth Sports League; Rs 400.00 million for the National Volunteer Corps; Rs 300.00 million for E-Sports Arenas and Training Centres; Rs 250.00 million for National Innovation Awards; and Rs 50.00 million for the Green Youth Movement.Additionally, Rs 24.48 billion have also been allocated for expansion of the Daanish Schools Network across the country for improving access to quality education.

Somehow most of the above-mentioned youth focused initiatives and programmes under the direction of the PM were little known among the prospective beneficiaries and their parents, so these ought to be given wide publicity down to the grassroot level to ensure maximum number of the country's youth population avail these facilities and opportunities and contribute share towards national development and economic prosperity of their beloved motherland Pakistan to the maximum extent possible as when our youth succeed Pakistan will surelt and certainly succeed.

Recognizing the fast emerging fact that the modern global economy rewards.skills, innovation, and adaptability ,the federal government has also allocated more than Rs 9.9 billion for technical, digital, and professional skills development under the PM Youth Programmes.

Young Pakistanis were being trained through the Youth Skills Development Programme in the fast emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, data science, and other high -demand sectors, along with traditional trades duly aligned with market needs. The objective was to bridge the gap between education and employment and prepare the youth for availing and exploring the opportunities both within Pakistan and in the foreign countries around the globe. 

The PM's Youth and Agriculture Loan Scheme duly represented the federal government's commitment to ensure entrepreneurship-led growth.Through provision of interest-free and low-markup financing, the scheme implementation was enabling the young Pakistani to establish their own businesses, expand agricultural ventures, launch startups, and become employers. This was an ongoing initiative which has demonstrated quite significant impact as till now Rs 365.5 billion have been disbursed to over 625740 borrowers which have contributed to creation of nearly 1.96 million jobs.

It was pertinent to mention here that while it was hoped that allocation of funds for the continuation of the scheme during financial year 2026-27 in an impressive and progressive manner thereby further strengthening entrepreneurship, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, and innovation, quite appreciably 25 percent quota has been reserved for women to ensure that young women also have equal access in financing and economic opportunities.

The PM's Youth Laptop Scheme was also an ongoing initiative under which six lakhs laptops have so far been distributed among the talented students across Pakistan .Under its Phase-IV, another one lakh laptops were being distributed. In the next phase, PM's Chromebooks will be distributed to students nationwide, including those hailing from undeserved and grassroots communities in order to further enhancing the digital learning opportunities.

Digital transformation was a key priority of the federal government's youth development agenda. The PM's Digital Youth Hub was Pakistan's first national youth platform for connecting the young people with opportunities across PM's Youth Programmes,4Es Framework, including education, employment, scholarships , internship, entrepreneurship, and technology. With already more than 800000 registered users, over 16 million downloads, and over 114000 job listings, the platform was ensuring transparent and merit-based opportunities.

Sports development was another priority of the federal government. More than 300000 young athletes have already so far participated in PM's Youth Talent identification activities. The federal government was expanding sports disciplines from 12 to 23 while also establishing professional facilities.

The approval of Pakistan's first National E-Sports Policy in the very near future will further open opportunities in the rapidly growing global digital entertainment industry.

Furthermore , the National Youth Employment Policy aims to create sustainable employment opportunities for Pakistan's youth, including 32.4 NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth by aligning skills development with market demands and high-growth sectors. The policy quite commendably focuses on youth entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, digital skills, and expanding access to decent employment  opportunities, with a target of achieving 100 percent absorption of new labour -force entrants by 2030 and also increasing female labour force participation to 35 percent.

Further, the National Adolescent & Youth Policy empowers Pakistan's youth aged 10-29 years through education, skills development, employment, health, and social inclusion. The policy has been developed through consultations with 50 /60 thousand youth across 40+cities and it provides a framework for youth development and nation-building. 

While providing the above-mentioned information regarding youth focused programmes, the official sources have emphatically concluded by say ing that every scholarship awarded, every skill developed, every startup supported, and every employment opportunity created represented progress toward a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan.

Somehow most of the above-mentioned youth focused initiatives and programmes under the direction of the PM were little known among the prospective beneficiaries and their parents, so these ought to be given wide publicity down to the grassroot level to ensure maximum number of the country's youth population avail these facilities and opportunities and contribute share towards national development and economic prosperity of their beloved motherland Pakistan to the maximum extent possible as when our youth succeed Pakistan will sure it and certainly succeed.